HERE WE GROW AGAIN -- STEADILY

After heading sideways into the new year, the local econony is turning in a strong first quarter and will continue growing throughout the first half, according to the CRAIN'S Chicago Index (CCI), a forecasting tool for the six-county area created by the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (REAL).

The index was virtually flat in January, declining a slight 0.5% as the Chicago-area lagged the nation. But the dip was short-lived. Strong retail sales and manufacturing sectors likely will boost the index a robust 1.1% in the first quarter. REAL expects the index to climb 1.8% in the second quarter, led by non-manufacturing growth.